Chapter 4: Feel The Burn

Kit listened along to the radio as she tried to get her nerves under control. Today was the day she and Luca were officially going to become a couple. She suddenly started to worry that it would be obvious their relationship was fake. The media backlash would be brutal if that happened.

She watched the passing buildings and faces as the car rolled through the New York streets, grateful that Gemma had suggested their ‘first date’ happen at her place.

"How far away are we?" she asked Joey, her driver and bodyguard.

"We're a few blocks away," he told her with a chuckle. "You seem awfully antsy to get there today."

Kit winced, grateful that he couldn't see her face. She liked Joey, she didn't want to keep him out of the loop, but it was better this way. Less chance for there to be any media leaks.

"Gemma promised she'd make lasagna tonight," Kit offered with a nervous laugh.

"D*mn," Joey responded with longing, "You think she'll think of Ol' Joe too?"

Kit laughed and shook her head. "No Promises, but I'll see if there's a doggy bag with your name on it."

"You're an angel Kit!" he responded before cursing under his breath as they turned the corner. "Looks like you have a few paps waiting for you."

Kit craned her head a little to see the few paparazzi stationed a little way down the street as the car came to a stop. Seeing them cemented that the plan was truly underway, after all, Gemma had organized for them to be there.

"You know how it is Joe," she muttered as she stepped out of the car. She could hear the shutters clicking the second her feet hit the sidewalk.

She purposefully took her time closing the door and saying goodbye to Joey. Anything to make sure that the paparazzi got the best shots of her entering Gemma's building.

"Bye Joey, I'll let you know when I'm ready to go home." She smiled at him before turning on her heel and walking straight into Gemma's building.

She nodded at the doorman and receptionists in greeting as she breezed by them. She breathed a heavy sigh as the elevator doors closed, whisking her up to Gemma's very expensive apartment.

Kit hummed to herself as she walked the short distance from the elevator to Gemma's door. She'd barely raised her hand to knock when the door flew open.

"Kit!" Max exclaimed delightedly before wrapping her in a giant bear hug.

Kit laughed and allowed herself to be towed inside by Max's hulking frame. Her body relaxed as she allowed herself to enjoy the hug, all her previous nerves gone.

"Nice to see you too!" she gasped once he'd put her down and could catch her breath.

"Why haven't I seen you in a while?" Max asked in a playfully, accusing tone. His brown eyes twinkled with mischief and were slightly obscured by a few errant curls.

Kit rolled her eyes and started pulling her coat off as Max held her purse for her.

"You know I've been on back-to-back business trips," she said while pulling a face. "I'm sorry I haven't been great about keeping in touch though. We can grab a drink this week?"

"Why is it that every time I turn my back for a second, you two are making plans to run off together?" Gemma asked as she entered the room.

Kit laughed, "If I wanted your man, I'd have kept him for myself instead of introducing you to each other."

Gemma laughed and pulled Kit in for a squeeze before grabbing her hand and dragging her toward the kitchen.

"Love the dress, did we dress up for our man?" Gemma asked, amusement plain in her voice.

Kit scowled and pulled her hand out of Gemma's. "You've always got to just ruin the moment."

Gemma laughed while Kit perched herself on a stool on the opposite side of the island. Max appeared from behind Gemma and handed each of them a drink.

"So you're saying you don't care if he finds you attractive or not?" Gemma asked while sipping her drink mischievously.

"Correct, I don't care about his opinion." Kit sniffed before taking a tentative sip of her drink.

Max snorted as he returned with his own drink in hand, he dropped a kiss on Gemma's head and then pinned Kit with a disbelieving look. "That dress says otherwise. Pretty sexy dress for drinks at a friend's, don't you think?" he asked with an overly innocent grin.

"What do you mean drinks? I was told there'd be lasagna!" Kit demanded while shooting Gemma an accusatory look.

Gemma shrugged unconcernedly. "Change of plans. We're going to have a few drinks and see if we feel up to going dancing!"

Kit groaned, "Gem, come on! Why are you making this harder than it has to be?"

Gemma rolled her eyes. "I'm making this easier actually. You need to loosen up! You're going to be around him quite a bit, might as well have fun."

A knock at the front door interrupted Kit's answer. Max shot Kit a wink before exiting the kitchen and going to open the door for Luca.

Luca gave Max a practiced smile and an outstretched hand as the man opened the door. "You must be Max. It's nice to meet you, man."

Max accepted Luca's hand and smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you too. Please come in!"

Luca hesitantly stepped past Max and examined the apartment with curious eyes. He couldn't see Gemma or Nikita but he could hear their voices floating in from the other room.

He inhaled deeply and readjusted his grip on the two bouquets he had in his hand. He'd been dreading this moment since their last meeting, but he'd also been looking forward to seeing Nikita again just as much.

Max appeared behind him and clapped his back. "Hope you're ready to enter the lion's den." He winked at Luca, causing them both to chuckle, and then led the way into the other room where the two women were waiting. Luca followed Max, his heart rate increasing with every step closer.

He heard Nikita laugh for the first time as he entered the living room. It was a husky melodic sound, happy and unrestrained. She turned her head and their eyes locked.

He felt frozen as he got an eyeful of her dress. He'd definitely seen skimpier and slu*ttier dresses, but something about Nikita's dress was even more sinful. It was a simple red dress that seemed to cling to every curve of her body.

All her best features were on display. Luca's hand twitched by his side, curious to find out if the dress was as soft as it looked. When he dragged his eyes back to Nikita's face, she winked at him and turned away.

"Luca!" Gemma cheered, her cheeks pink with color. She left Nikita's side and offered him a hug which he returned awkwardly.

"Are those for us?" she asked as she gestured at the bouquets.

Luca looked down, momentarily confused before remembering the flowers. "Yes! These are for you two. An apology for my behavior last time."

Gemma turned to Kit with a smirk and a quick wink, causing Kit to smile slightly. It was clear that Gemma was starting to feel her margarita. She made her way to where Gemma was standing with Luca.

She hadn't expected him to show up with flowers; especially when she'd been just as bad the last time they'd met. He'd obviously already won Gemma over with the gesture but Kit wasn't so easily won over.

He offered her a bouquet as she came to a stop in front of the two. Their fingers brushed briefly as the flowers exchanged hands and their eyes met for a moment before they both pulled away.

"Thank you," Kit murmured with a bemused expression.

"I'll take those!" Max announced cheerfully as he appeared from the kitchen. He handed Luca a margarita and whisked the bouquets off into another room.

Luca sipped his drink and did his best to ignore Kit's eyes boring into him. He cleared his throat and focused on Gemma. The safer option.

"So, what are the plans for this evening?" he asked. "I've already had my picture taken downstairs."

Gemma nodded and sipped her own drink. "That's step one. Step two is to go out and have a fun night!"

Luca raised his eyebrow incredulously and turned a curious eye to Kit. He couldn't imagine that this was something she was on board with. She didn't seem the type to go clubbing.

"Who's ready for shots!" Max called cheerfully as he entered the room again with a tray covered in rows of shots.

Luca laughed, "Woah."

"Don't worry," Gemma told him with a pat on the arm. "They're tequila too."

Kit rolled her eyes and laughed, "I think he was commenting on the fact that there are a million shots on that tray."

Gemma scoffed and winked at Luca playfully. "Luca definitely isn't intimidated by a few shots."

Luca chuckled and sipped his margarita with a shrug. "I'm not intimidated by a strong drink but shots aren't really my thing. Not since my 20s anyway."

"Why not?" Kit asked him curiously.

Luca shrugged again. "In my experience, bad decisions happen after a few shots. I can't remember most of the nights where shots were involved."

They both placed their drinks on the nearest countertop as Max started handing out shots and lime wedges.

Kit arched her brow delicately and accepted a shot before lifting it in Luca's direction. "Let's hope you don't forget tonight."

Luca met Kit's gaze and smirked as he lifted his own shot. "With that dress? Unlikely."

****

Nikita Simon and Luca Brooks Are Reportedly Dating!

Did anyone have this on their bingo card for this year? Sources tell Page Nine that the unlikely couple is engaged in a hot and heavy romance.

Luca Brooks, 34, is well known for his playboy ways. The Brooks heir is often seen with a new woman on his arm every week! On the other hand, Nikita Simon, 28, is notoriously private and has always kept her love life out of the public eye.

"Neither of them were looking for a relationship but they just really clicked," another source shared with Page Nine. This new romance was apparently sparked after the two were introduced by a mutual friend.

The pair set tongues wagging this week when they were spotted leaving celebrity publicist Gemma Adams' place early in the morning. The two arrived separately but left together in the same car.

In the photos, Simon can be seen wearing Brooks' jacket while he leads her with his hand on her lower back. The two were later spotted with Adams and her husband Max, entering Paradise Lounge shortly after.

It's unclear just when the two first got together but they've already been together for at least several weeks.

Will the new couple keep it private or will they share the love with the world? We're all eager to find out!